Judaism and Islam: comparative religious traditions

¶ … Eastern Religion Elements Matrix

Buddhism

Confucianism

Daoism

Countries of origin

In Historical figures and events

Origin: India

Founded: 1500 BC

Origin": India

Founded 2,500 years ago by Indian Prince Siddharta Gautama

Origin: China; founded between the 6th and 5th centuries B.C.; Confucius developed cultural values and taught that learning above all should be the goal

Daoism also spelled Taoism was founded in China in 550 B.C.

Central beliefs

In the afterlife, if Karma is not resolved, the soul is born into a new body; life's purpose is to be liberated from reincarnation

Like Hinduism, a goal is to be liberated from the cycle of reincarnation;

"benevolence" and optimism and being loyal to one's own nature; being unselfish, giving back (reciprocity) and seeking a virtuous life

This spiritual Taoism and philosophical Taoism; Taoism focuses on social duty and adheres to the principles of Confucianism; death is simply from being to non-being, there is no spiritual belief in heaven

Nature of God

Three Deities are part of the Hindu belief: Shiva, Vishnu, and Shaki; but most Hindus believe in one Supreme Being

there are many Deities, not one God; Kuan Yin is the medicine Buddha; Deities can be found throughout the universe; Buddha did not believe in god per se; he felt that a god wasn't needed

The main core of Confucianism is about humanism, the spiritual value of family and people, but not of god or gods

There are several Deities in religious Taoism, and none of them resemble what Christians see as "God"

Texts

Vedas is the holiest text

Pali Canon (Tripitaka) and many Mahayana sutras

The Lun-yu is the most important text

The sacred text is Tao Te Ching, Chuang-Tzu

Ritual and practice

(sacred elements & their meaning)

Rituals- Praying after a bath and praying at dusk and dawn

In the new year, debts are settled, special foods are prepared, families are visited and food is offered to the congregation at the Buddhist temples. Some Buddhists celebrate Buddha's birthday by lighting a lantern with their family's names on it and stroll around the lantern

The whole of Confucianism is about teaching people the ways of virtue, and on the development of an ethical way of life. A person should be willing to forego his or her normal existence for the sake of upholding what is fair and just